Experimental investigation of an Organic Rankine cycle system using an oil-free scroll expander for low grade heat recovery

Liang, Y. and Yu, Z. (2021) Experimental investigation of an Organic Rankine cycle system using an oil-free scroll expander for low grade heat recovery. International Journal of Green Energy, 18(8), pp. 812-821. (doi: 10.1080/15435075.2021.1880915)

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Abstract

Organic Rankine cycle (ORC) has become a promising energy harvesting technique to recover thermal energy from low-grade heat sources. In this study, a lab-scale ORC system has been designed, constructed, and tested to investigate the potential of utilizing the heat from hot water, which is used to simulate the jacket water of internal combustion engines. The ORC system employs an oil-free scroll expander with R245fa as working fluid. A wide range of operating conditions has been studied by adjusting the pump frequency, the load and the mass flow rate of cooling water. Effect of the superheat degree at the expander inlet was investigated and the results showed that the ORC system presented better performance with superheat of 0. It is concluded that the system should be controlled to maintain the least possible superheat degree to obtain higher power output and better efficiency. The maximum electric power output and the maximum thermal efficiency are 0.61 kW and 4.09%, respectively, when the heat source is 96.8°C. The power consumed by the pump ranges from 0.07 to 0.18 kW, which accounts for 22 to 39% of the power output of ORC.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Yu, Professor Zhibin and Liang, Dr Youcai
Authors: Liang, Y., and Yu, Z.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:International Journal of Green Energy
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
ISSN:1543-5075
ISSN (Online):1543-5083
Published Online:04 March 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in International Journal of Green Energy 18(8): 812-821
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
172394Thermally Driven Heat Pump Based on an Integrated Thermodynamic Cycle for Low Carbon Domestic Heating (Therma-Pump)Zhibin YuEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/N020472/1ENG - Systems Power & Energy
171763Dynamic Organic Rankine Cycle for Recovering Industrial Waste HeatZhibin YuEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/N005228/1ENG - Systems Power & Energy
300273An ORC power plant integrated with thermal energy storage to utilise renewable heat sources for distributed H&PProject Number; 102883Zhibin YuEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/R003122/1ENG - Systems Power & Energy
300663Geothermally Sourced Power and Freshwater Generation for Eastern AfricaZhibin YuEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/P028829/1ENG - Systems Power & Energy